Just hours before England‘s crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro, traces of disquiet in the team camp are emerging. Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has for the first time spoken out the issue surrounding the FA selecting a foreigner to coach the team.
Carragher believes it was wrong for England to have appointed a foreigner to coach the team. Carragher had some very strong words and judging by the manner they were said, this matter is bound to elicit more reactions from players as well as fans.
You will remember, that Capello succeeded Steve McClaren who failed to guide the team to the European finals 4 years ago. Capello has not had much success either in terms of winning any trophies despite guiding the team to the World Cup finals last year and a possible place in next year’s European finals.
Its ironic how Carragher has mustered up the courage to speak out after nearly 3 years. I guess it is because Capello has openly said that he is retiring at the end of the tournament.
It is worth noting that Carragher came out of international retirement to be part of Capello’s plans for the World Cup tournament. That however, did not help as they suffered one of their worst defeats at the hands of the Germans.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, this is what Carragher had to say:
“If your manager’s not good enough, that’s your country’s fault, get a better manager. Do the coaching qualification better.”
“I think it’s a form of cheating at international football and to be honest it’s a little bit embarrassing.”
Carragher made it clear that he has nothing against but strongly feels that its time the country focus more using home grown coaches to take charge of the national team.
“I’ve got nothing against Capello – I went with him to the World Cup and got to know him a little bit there – but I just think that’s what international football is.
“I can’t say the World Cup went great under Capello, because it didn’t, but getting a foreign manager is like saying, ‘Well, our keeper’s not good enough, so we’re going to go and get Buffon from Italy’, or whoever it may be.
I hate to admit it but Carragher has a point. This lack of belief in home grown coaches is the main cause why many national sides fail to perform on the big stage and a major reason why despite the plethora of talent in Africa, the countries fail to make an impact when it really matters.
“Benitez, Houllier, Mourinho – they’ve all got things about them in terms of having won the big trophies. Does that mean English managers don’t get a chance at the Premier League? Look at Chelsea with a 33-year-old manager.
“In years gone by, David Moyes would have got that position, or an up and coming manager who’s done a great job [would], but that doesn’t happen anymore and with the national team it’s about what you’ve achieved, what you’ve got in the locker.”
Those last statements are very true. What do you think? Do you agree with Carragher.
Photo credit © danrog77
